Are you Optimistic? Learn how to launch and scale your grants program using Gitcoin's proven toolkit, with a suite of tools custom built for Optimism – and available to all Superchain members. From our soon-to-be-released Optimism Grants Claim (OG-C) tool to our partnership with the SUNNYs or one-of-a-kind Easy Retro Funding, we have ready-to-use solutions to help you scale your grants program, while maintaining alignment to Optimism’s Collective Grants Policies.
As a Superchain member, you're part of a rapidly growing ecosystem where innovation and community contributions drive long-term success. Whether you're looking to fund impactful projects, empower builders, or drive broader ecosystem participation, launching a grants program that is transparent, scalable, and aligned with your goals is essential.
When it comes to building grants tooling for Optimism, Gitcoin has already done the heavy lifting. Our collaboration with Optimism spans multiple initiatives—from the design of Retro Funding to metrics-based funding for the SUNNYs. By integrating these tools, you gain access to a tried-and-tested system that has helped Optimism and other leading ecosystems allocate grants in a transparent, community-driven manner.
Our latest collaboration with Optimism on the Grants Claiming Tool (OG-C) makes it easier for you to align to the Optimism Collective Grants policies. These policies provide a framework for launching grants programs, setting standards for how funds are distributed, tracked, and managed across the Superchain. And with Gitcoin by your side, implementing these policies has never been easier.
A cornerstone of Optimism Grants is their Collective Grants Policies framework. Gitcoin was recently awarded a grant for a purpose built solution to improve user experience and drive up governance participation. The Optimism Grants Claim (OG-C) tool standardizes the grant application and management process, making it easier for contributors to access funds while ensuring that funds are distributed transparently and in line with Optimism standards.
How it benefits you: The tool provides a frictionless experience for both applicants and grant administrators, ensuring your program runs efficiently and effectively. The tool ensures grants are claimed in compliance with Optimism’s policies, including a one-year lock on tokens and mandatory delegation, reinforcing long-term commitment and decentralized governance. Plus, it’s ready for adoption with minimal setup.
Optimism’s Sunny’s Awards – also known as the SUNNY’s – is a stellar example of how gamification and healthy competition can drive ecosystem participation. This was a monumental initiative supported by Gitcoin, Charmverse and Open Source Observer (OSO) to distribute 540,000 OP tokens to developers contributing to the Superchain. Gitcoin developed a custom leaderboard and metrics dashboard, which made it easy to track and evaluate project performance based on measurable success criteria.
How it benefits you: Metrics are a vital tool for helping Superchain projects innovate and stay ahead. By tracking key performance indicators and aligning rewards with measurable impact, you foster a culture of continuous improvement. This creates a positive feedback loop—builders are motivated to push boundaries and deliver high-quality contributions, knowing that their efforts are being transparently measured and rewarded. Leveraging these gamification strategies can inspire higher participation and ensure that your ecosystem attracts top talent and projects, driving long-term value creation.
Optimism’s Retro Funding model has revolutionized public goods funding, and Gitcoin has been instrumental in scaling this groundbreaking initiative. Launched by Optimism in 2021, Retro Funding rewards projects and individuals who have made significant contributions to the Ethereum public goods ecosystem. Most significantly, Gitcoin introduced a metrics-based voting interface during Round 4, where delegates voted on predefined metrics rather than individual projects—marking a major advancement in the grants allocation process.
Over the course of six rounds, the Retro Funding program has continued to evolve, with Gitcoin as a steady partner from Round 3 onwards, ensuring transparent decision-making and fair fund distribution. As Optimism expanded to the Superchain, more grantees sought to run their own Retro Funding programs, further demonstrating the effectiveness of this model.
In response, Gitcoin developed the Easy Retro Public Goods Funding (RPGF) app on Allo Protocol. This solution has significantly scaled access to Retro Funding, allowing Superchain members to adopt this powerful funding mechanism with ease.
How it benefits you: By adopting the Easy RPGF app, built by Gitcoin on the Allo Protocol, you can bring retro funding to the wider Superchain. This empowers your community to take control of funding decisions—helping you build trust and engagement.
By setting a high standard for transparency, fairness, and community participation, you position your grants program as a cornerstone of your ecosystem’s success. Projects and builders will gravitate toward your chain, knowing that their contributions will be valued and rewarded based on merit.
By partnering with Gitcoin, you’re not only launching a grants program—you’re building a sustainable, transparent, and impactful ecosystem that rewards meaningful contributions. Let’s work together to make your grants program the next big success story in the Superchain, setting a new standard for decentralized public goods funding. Here’s how partnering with Gitcoin can help you launch swiftly and successfully:
Ready to bring the power of Optimism’s tools and policies to your ecosystem? Gitcoin is here to help you every step of the way. Let’s create the next wave of impactful, community-led grants programs across the Superchain.